Histopedia

Christopher Columbus is often credited with the “discovery” of America in 1492, but it’s essential to acknowledge that:

1. Indigenous peoples inhabited the Americas for thousands of years before Columbus’ arrival.
2. Viking explorer Leif Erikson is believed to have established a settlement in present-day Canada around 1000 AD, about 500 years before Columbus.

Columbus’ voyage, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Americas. However, it’s crucial to recognize the complex and problematic history surrounding Columbus’ legacy.